Gift From IELA and Mission Song

President Harrison Displays Gift from IELA

"The Just Will Live By Faith" -- Romans 1:17

President Emeritus Edgardo Elseser, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Argentina (IELA), sent this plaque back to the United States as gift to President Harrison. "The Just Live By Faith."

The theme of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Argentina's convention was "Servants in Mission." At the convention, the choir sang the anthem, "Vivamos para compartir." The musical arrangement for this anthem was prepared by Sergio Friztler, the Rector of the Concordia Seminary in Buenos Aires. 

Vivamos para compartir

Everyone who attended the assembly/convention of the IELA received the plaque below.

After returning from Santa Elena, I had the opportunity to go with Missionary Ted Krey to a library in Buenos Aires. In the library was the portrait of Jesus with the Woman at the Well.

IELA Convention Update

President Emeritus Edgardo Eleaser (IELA), President Elect Carlos Nagel (IELA), abc3+, Pastor Ted Krey (LCMS Latin America Regional Director)

Yesterday (26 March 2011) the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Argentina elected Carlos Nagel to be their new President. Today, at the Divine Service, the outgoing president -- Edgardo Eleaser who served two terms -- installed Carlos Nagel as President. Coming from the Missouri Synod, I found it rather striking for the former president (who was term limited) to install the new president. Coming from the Missouri Synod, I also found it amazing that the installation service was the next day.

After the service I commented on this to the now President Emeritus Edgardo Eleaser. He replied, "In the past some elections had been contentious and tensions would run high at the installation. It is easy when you agree on the Confessions and when you are moving in the same direction."

Wise words.

President Carlos Nagel gave a very humble acceptance speech in which he said you get what you see and that I am really nothing, but it is Christ who works through our weaknesses.





Santa Elena is a town along the river.

Now I don't mean to paint the IELA as a perfect church. No she isn't. She is truly a sister of Missouri, struggling with many of trials that we do. It is a church under the cross that is attempting to remain faithful to the Scriptures and the Confessions. But there is a good spirit among her pastors.


Barbecue photos


After the installation there was an Argentinean Barbecue with 400 kilos of meat. After the barbecue nearly all the meat was gone.



Picture of the Roman Catholic church in Santa Elena, Argentina.


Pastor James Fandrey of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation also attended the IELA's convention. It was good to spend a few days getting to know him and to discuss how LHF and the LCMS could partner better.


After the service and barbecue, Missionary Ted Krey and I took at 3 hour taxi ride to Santa Fe to the airport. Once at the airport, we learned our flight had been canceled. Now we need to take the bus to Buenos Aires... One of the downsides of travel.

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Location:Ruta Nacional 11,,Argentina

Servants in Mission - The Convention Theme IELA

The convention stage in Santa Elena, Argentina. The theme for the convention is service in mission. The convention opened with a devotion based off of Acts 1:8, "you will be my witnesses..."



Cristian Rautenberg, President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile, and Deaconess Valario who works in Paraguay, hold a clock that says, "My times are in your hands." Psalm 31:15. This clock was made by the IELCHI because of the earthquake in Chile and LCMS WR-HC's response to it.



The Lutheran church in Chile greatly appreciated the LCMS' response to the earthquake last year.



The dog that wandered off the street and decided to lay at my feet during the convention.



Other local creatures...



A building along the street on way to the convention ...

More later

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Location:Ruta Nacional 12,,Argentina

Concordia Seminary, Buenos Aires Argentina

Rector Sergio Fritzler and abc3+ (Pastor Ted Krey taking picture)



Notice involvement of the Lehenbauer family who were also active in Brazil and the Missouri Synod.




The theme of the convention for the Lutheran Church in Argentina (IELA).



The church year chart.




Every church needs a barbecue.




We had barbecue for lunch.

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Location:Au. Rosario - Santa Fe,,Argentina

Japan Update

KFUO Radio Update on Japan

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This morning I gave an update on the LCMS' response to the disaster in Japan and a brief update on LCMS personnel and the Lutheran churches in Japan. The LCMS is running a Japan Update Page: www.lcms.org/help

Give Now to the Japan Disaster

Lutherans in Japan

LCMS Witness (Mission) in Palmar Arriba

Missionary Rev. Ted Krey,
LCMS Regional Director of Latin America

Missionary Ted Krey, LCMS Regional Director for Latin America, describes the mission work in Palmar Arriba, Dominican Republic. Pastor Krey is standing outside of Concordia Lutheran School. It currently has about 80 students with the goal of 200 students by the Fall. Ted Krey works with LCMS Missionary Danelle Putnam, Missionary Pastor Walter Ries from Brazil, and Pastor Willie Gaspar who was ordained this past Sunday. Ted also supervises Vicar Adrian Solis. Ted and his Dominican Mission Team are doing great work and combine witness (Gospel proclamation) with mercy (human care) to have life together in the church.

Kissayris, Principal of Concordia Lutheran School

Concordia Lutheran School, Palmar Arriba

Children in Palmar Arriba

Baseball Stadium in Palmar Arriba

Dr. Jack Preus and Rev. Danial Preus
Tour Concordia Lutheran School